Why there should be Nuremberg II for the Russians?

All my life, I’ve been searching for “good Russians” - both in Russia and among the émigrés. Why?

Because I genuinely believe there are no bad nations, no bad peoples, no “great” or “lesser” cultures or languages. All are equal. Every nation has its heroes and scoundrels - and all have the right to live on their land by their own rules.

Russians too. But first, they must defeat the small, repulsive Putin within themselves.

Each of them carries a shard of ice in their heart, like Kai from Andersen’s tale. Could Kai thaw and feel again on his own? No. It took a Gerda - someone who endured countless trials - to melt his frozen heart.

For Germans after the Second World War, the democratic world became this Gerda. Not the USSR, which helped to destroy Hitler, but the democracies that taught Germans to be human again. Of course, I remember the millions of crying Germans. But they have changed. And the dignity with which Chancellor Merz spoke to Trump is admirable.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Trump: “June 6 tomorrow, this is the D-Day anniversary, when the Americans once ended a war in Europe.”

Trump, in his usual style, replied: “That was not a pleasant day for you?”

Merz responded with dignity and wisdom: “This was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship.”

Since Russia has not yet recovered from Putin’s Nazi-style dictatorship, Russians - even those with Israeli passports - remain not just bearers of Russian culture, but part of the “Russian world.”

My definition of the “Russian world,” which I enshrined in law through an amendment, is as follows: “The ideology of the Russian World is a Russian neocolonial doctrine based on chauvinistic, Nazi, racist, xenophobic, and religious ideas, imagery, and goals.”

But why do I believe that the so-called opposition figure Makarevich, even after receiving Israeli citizenship, still remains part of the “Russian World”?

Because he attended a concert by Russian musicians in Israel and then wrote a post:

"A wonderful concert by my friends Alexei Kortnev and Maksim Leonidov. I haven’t felt such a wave of positivity in a long time - together with the entire audience. However, the event was somewhat overshadowed by another demonstration in the heart of Tel Aviv. Once again, a hundred passionate protesters with fiery eyes brought the city to a standstill, and tens of thousands of citizens couldn’t get where they needed to be on time. Once again: 'Hostages - at any cost!'"

In Israel, people are taking to the streets to force the government to fight for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. This is very similar to the demonstrations of relatives of Ukrainian prisoners, who are fighting for their release and demanding concrete actions from the state. Imagine Makarevich coming to a concert of his Russian friends in the center of Kyiv and being outraged by the protests of relatives of Azovstal prisoners.

And this is quite possible. Because under the draft law on multiple citizenship, Makarevych and other “good” Russians, Belarusians, and even “good” Turkmens will be able to become citizens of Ukraine.

Democratic countries must fight for every one of their citizens. But these Russians come not only with their songs and dances, but also with values where human life is worthless.

That’s why a new Nuremberg trial is needed for Russians. So that in the future, a Russian Merz will thank not Putin or the “Russian world,” but Ukrainians and other democratic nations - for liberation from dictatorship in the country and in Russian minds, where a concert by two Russians in Tel Aviv seems more important than freeing hostages.

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian MP

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by the blogs or column authors.